IN THE GROOVE AGAIN Marvin Dumandan kisses his trophy after ending a nearly two-year victory drought in the local Tour. GILBERT MERCADO
MARVIN Dumandan snapped a long winless spell in style yesterday by overhauling a three stroke overnight deficit to win the ICTSI John Hay Championship by three shots over sophomore pro Carl Santos-Ocampo in Baguio City.
Dumandan knocked down six birdies and signed for a four-under-par 64 to pool a 15-under 189 over 54 holes.
He picked up the P200,000 top prize and earned a huge confidence boost after going winless since the middle of 2010.
“This is really a big win for me, a big confidence-booster,” said Dumandan, a three-time winner two years ago who went through several equipment and swing changes that proved disastrous last year.
Santos-Ocampo, who blew into the lead with a record-setting 59 on Thursday, struggled to a closing 69—despite an opening-hole eagle—and finished second.
First-round leader Joenard Rates was third, another four strokes behind Santos-Ocampo, after a second straight 67 gave him a 195 tally, one ahead of rookie pro and former national champion Clyde Mondilla, who also shot a 67.
Dumandan had four of those birdies in his opening nine for a 31 and was already a shot ahead of Santos-Ocampo who managed a 35.
He extended his lead to two by picking up another shot on the 10th, and Ocampo blew all his chances of a comeback by signing for a double bogey 5 on the 12th.
The event was organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Srixon, Callaway, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Randy Garalde fired a 63 and finished with a 199 total, while Elmer Saban and rookie Jessie Balasabas tied for seventh at 200 after closing out with a 64 and a 68, respectively.
The third stop of the 16-leg circuit will be at Sherwood in Trece Martirez, Cavite, next week, where Dumandan won one of his three titles two years ago.
Most of the country’s stars are expected to be back in the local tour by that time after campaigning in lucrative tournaments abroad.
The final scores:
189—M. Dumandan 64-61-64; 192—C. Santos-Ocampo 64-59-69; 195—J. Rates 61-67-67; 196—C. Mondilla 64-65-67; 197—F. Aunzo 63-70-64; 199—R. Garalde 67-69-63; 200—E. Saban 72-64-64, J. Balasabas 69-63-68; 202—R. Banares 71-64-67, T. Macatangay 66-64-72; 204—G. Rosales 70-70-64, R. Abaring 69-67-68, Z. Gialon 68-68-68.